Its not impossible to do it 100% remotely but when its your first out of state rental - its probably much much better to go in person for it - and then when you find an agent that you trust and has proven to be able to be up to the job and your needs, then future properties you can be more comfortable not going down to look at all the properties

That is an individual answer specific to each one's situation and risk tolerance level. 

I'd start smaller, and build out a team you trust first. 

That 40k class would not teach you to put nail to the drywall.In my actual job i am so very busy writing code for DATA CENTER like Amazon or Google data center, so I do NOT have time nor knowledge to put a nail in the drywall, but i have TRUSTED friend that can put the nail in the drywall.There are just so many RESOURCES here in BIGGERPOCKETS where one do not need to go to any school but can learn from them or they can redirect to the right people.As for me , my life in real estate context has DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED when I CONVERTED my business relationship into much PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP to the contractor.In flipping business, the contractor, the subcon , is like the Prophet, okay, they have to be listened and being served.

70% rental properties, 20% trust deeds and 10% cash. 

So, I took a chance and was completely upfront with her: I was new to this and would be assigning the deal to a cash buyer.Despite my inexperience, we built trust.

I actually found this website with cheats that helped me level up my game.

This builds trust over just throwing out blanket statements.

AS the spam rate goes up your phone number gets less trusted with the carriers.  

Policy Loan rates are pretty low right now... but it depends on the company too.You can try Integrity Bank and Trust in Colorado Springs.